Musician encourages more family time during Vernon Area Public Library performance

Area musician Jim Gill wants children, parents and grandparents to spend more time playing together and he thinks he has the platform to help them accomplish that in 2017.

Gill, an Oak Park resident, brought his "Nationwide Campaign for Play" to the Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire on Saturday, playing selections from his latest CD called "Vote for Jim Gill" to a crowd of children and their families.

"It's music play for children and families, active sing-along, dance-along and read-along as well," Gill said before his 45-minute appearance at the library.

Area families had the chance to sit on the carpet and bop to the beat during the performance. Gill also brought along another area musician, Don Stille of Hoffman Estates, to help put on the show.

Rachel Shulman, head of Youth Services at the Vernon Area Library, called Gill an amazing performer who knows how to engage children while helping them learn.

"They don't even realize they're learning because it's so much fun," Shulman said, adding how the library incorporates Gill's music into weekly story times for children. "It's a treat for our patrons to be able to see the performer they hear during story times."

Buffalo Grove resident Sandra Siegel sat in the front row during the event with her son, 4-year-old Joshua Siegel.

"He just loves his music," Siegel said of her son.

Amy Rubenstein, of Buffalo Grove, attended with her husband, Neil Rubenstein, and their children, Aidan, 6, and Brody, 4. The family came to hear one of their children's favorite performers, she said.

"He's the best," Rubenstein said.

Karie Angell Luc is a freelance photographer and reporter for Pioneer Press.